Obituaries June 10 to June 17, 2012

Kevin was born in Richmond and was a 2002 graduate of Berea Community High School where he was very active in sports. He graduated from ITT Technical Institute in 2004 and was employed by Tremco in Lexington. He was a member of the Eastside Community Church in Richmond.

In addition to sports, he loved to play his guitar and was a dedicated father to his son.

He was preceded in death by: his in-laws, Barbara and Johnny Little; great-grandfather George Puckett; great-grandparents, Gladys and Adolph Bourne and Malton and Mary Helen Boone.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, June 15, 2012, at Lakes Funeral Home with Rev. Virgil Grant officiating. Burial will follow in the Robinson Cemetery in Cartersville. Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2012, at Lakes Funeral Home.

Edward P. Clute, 88, died Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Hospice Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. He was a Schenectady, New York native born July 25, 1923, son of the late Peter and Catherine Brennan Clute, U. S. Army veteran, held a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and was a retired Mechanical Engineer with General Electric. Mr. Clute was a master gardener, member of Saint Clare Catholic Church and moved to Berea in 1999 from Calabash, North Carolina.

Vearlene Joy Wilson Sturdevan age 76, daughter of the late Leonard and Rachel Wilson. Vearlene was a member of the Lafayette Christian Church in Lexington, where she had worked for many years. Vearlene had been an assistant loan officer for the First Security Bank in Lexington for about 30 years, and had started her banking career at the Berea Bank and Trust while in high school; she had also worked at Kroger in Lexington before moving to the Terrace in Berea these last few years. Vearlene was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers; Paul and Pat Wilson, and her brothers-in-law; Walter Riley, Fred Botkin, and Jim Marsh.

Vearlene is survived by her sisters; Jean Marsh of Amherst OH, Sarah Riley of Berea, and Fern Botkin of Paint Lick, her sisters-in-law; Shirley Wilson of Lexington and Ann Wilson of Berea and Many Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral services will be Monday June 18, 2012 at 2 pm at Lakes Funeral Home with Dr. Rev. J Randolph Osborne officiating. Burial will be in the Madison County Memorial Gardens, pallbearers will be Mike Wilson, Mic Wilson, Doug Botkin, Tom Botkin, Steve Riley, Kyle Wilson, and Ken Dunke. Honorary pallbearers will be Debbie Dunke, Becky Woods, Teresa Botkin, Mona Bond and many friends. Visitation for Vearlene will be Sunday from 6-9 pm at Lakes Funeral Home

Nancy Parker

RICHMOND — Nancy Cornelison Parker, 56, formerly of Richmond, passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at her place of residence in Decatur, lll.

Born April 28, 1956, she was the daughter of Hubert “Buster” and Martha Cornelison of Richmond.

Nancy was a strong University of Kentucky Wildcat fan, however, she later became a “converted” St. Louis Cardinals fan, much like her late husband, Jerry Shelton Parker. Her greatest attribute was her strong faith and love of God.

She is survived by: three step-children, Michael Shelton (Cara) Parker of Lexington, Jerry Jason Parker of Lawton, Okla., Michelle Lynn (Troy) Isom of Memphis, Tenn.; six step-grandchildren; a loving niece and nephew; her cousins; friends and neighbors who will all miss her greatly.

In addition to her parents and beloved husband, Jerry Shelton Parker, she was preceded in death by her brother, Bert Cornelison.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon, Monday, June 18, 2012, at Fritz and Turpin Funeral Home. Graveside services at the Richmond Cemetery, officiated by Bro. Dow Moses, will be conducted immediately after the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the New Vision Church of God, 1414 Grove Road, Decatur, IL 62522.

Cynthia Gayle FountainCynthia Gayle Singleton Fountain

Cynthia Gayle Singleton Fountain, 70, passed away on June 16, 2012 at her home in Richmond. She was the wife of Glenn Fountain.

Cynthia was born in Knott County, Kentucky on May 9, 1942, and was the daughter of the late Ira and Sally Tomlin Singleton, both of whom preceded her in death. She was a retired vice-president and secretary of USES as well as a homemaker. Cynthia had attended First United Methodist Church and the Word of Power Worship Center.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by: four sons, Ben Hurt (Jennifer), of Richmond, Wade Hurt (Patricia), of Lexington, Lloyd Hurt (Cindy), of Richmond, and Chris Fountain, of Richmond; two daughters, Penny Bodner (Bobby), of Richmond, and Carla Jones (Johnny), of Raleigh, North Carolina; and two step-daughters, Sherry Duarte (Bob), of Richmond, and Lorie Street (John), of Ashland, Kentucky; two step-sons, Jeff Fountain (Judy), of Berea, and Ken Fountain (Trish), of Florence, Kentucky; 28 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 4 brothers; 8 sisters; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Cynthia Fountain will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home, with Rev. Bruce Nettleton officiating. Burial will follow in the Madison County Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 5:00- 9:00 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012 at Oldham, Roberts & Powell.

Ray Bonner Lunsford

Ray Bonner Lunsford, 79, of Richmond, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2012, at the V A Medical Center in Lexington.

He was born on November 2, 1932 in Richmond, Kentucky, to the late, Martin and Cora Frances Moore Lunsford. He was the owner and operator of several grocery stores, including Home Meat Market, and he was the co-owner of Ray and Juanita Rentals. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of Linden Street Baptist Church.

Ray loved to work, to go to auctions and to run the roads. He enjoyed traveling with his sisters.

Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Barnes officiating. Burial will follow at Madison County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home

Carl B. Hopper

Carl B. Hopper, age 86, died Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. He was born in Winchester, Kentucky, the son of the late James and Nancy Baker Hopper.

He was a retired truck driver for Yellow Freight and a Baptist by faith. Mr. Hopper served his country by serving in the Army during World War II. In his free time he loved to camp.

Mr. Hopper is survived by: his son, Kenneth J. (Shauna) Hopper of Berea; his daughter, Carla Jean Hopper of Berea; his brother, Fred Hopper of Winchester, Ky.; his sisters, Geneva Fisher of Winchester and Jane Agal of Beach Grove, Indiana; his grandchildren, Barbara Nicole Crowe and J. D. Hopper. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Franzene Hopper.

Funeral services for Mr. Hopper will be 12:00 noon Monday, June 18, 2012 at the Davis & Powell Funeral Home with Rev. Martin Frazier officiating. Burial will follow in Madison County Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service on Monday. Pallbearers will be Mark Rice, Mike, Tommy, Teddy, Wayne, and Danny Fisher, Jr.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hospice Care Plus, 308 Kidd Drive, Berea, Ky. 40403.

Mrs. Reams was born in Greencastle, Ind., on Aug. 24, 1939, to the late George and Mary V. Long York. She was retired from J.C. Penney and was a member of College Hill Methodist Church. She was also a member of Women Together for Christ, and volunteer for the Salvation Army.

Mrs. Reams was selected as den mother of Den 317 Cub Scouts, where she received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor in Scouting.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jimmy W. York, and granddaughter, Haleigh Powell.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Monday, June 18, 2012, with Rev. Che Haselwood officiating. Burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until service time Monday.

She was born on April 6, 1923, in Leighton to Sylvester and Cynthia Ann Plowman Horn, both of whom preceded her in death. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church on the Rock.

She is survived by: three sons, Sylvester Dunn (Frances) of Barbourville, Leonard Wayne Dunn (Vicki) of Berea, and Larry Allen Dunn (Angelika) of Jennings, Fla.; two daughters, Wilma Lois Cox (Johnny), and Irma Gail Pence (David) both of Richmond; three sisters, Develia Conner of Clay City, Louise Culton, of Paris, and Bernice Marcum of Richmond; one brother, Willie Horn of Richmond; 12 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Sharon Elaunda Dunn and Alma Doris Dunn Cox; seven brothers, Carlie, Faris, Elvia, Otis, Othia, Arthur and Edmond Horn; one sister, Marie Horn.

Melvin Begley, 91, of old Railroad Grade Road passed away Monday at the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond Kentucky. He was the son of the Late Hiram and Sophia Hopkins Begley, and was predeceased in death by his wife Magdalene Begley.

Melvin was a lifetime Farmer, a member of the Odd Fellows of Lancaster and was a member of the Hyattsville Baptist Church. He is survived by his two sons, Ralph Begley(Darlene) of TN. and Louis Thomas Begley(Judy) of Lancaster. Two grandchildren, Jennifer Cox(Jimmy) of Richmond, KY. and Allison Niocole Begley of Lancaster. Two Great-Grandchildren, Courtney Cox and Jacqueline Cox. He was also predeceased in death by two sisters, Audrey Begley Cleveland and Margraret Begley, a brother, Marlin Begley.

Funeral services 11A.M.Friday June 15, 2012 at the Spurlin Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gary Durham officiating. Visitation Thursday 5- 9 P.M.. Burial will be in the Manse Cemetery, Paint Lick, KY.

RICHMOND — Michael Aaron Merlin, 58, husband and soul mate for 30 years of Debbi (nee Percefull) Merlin and adoring father of Shawna Elizabeth Merlin, passed away on June 11, 2012, after a lengthy illness.

He was born in Lexington on Oct. 19, 1953, and is preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Stella Merlin, along with his loving sister, Sharon Thwing. Mike was a 1971 graduate of Lafayette High School and a 1988 graduate of Clemson University. He was not only a U.S. Air Force veteran, but Mike was also an accomplished musician and photographer, a studious collector of rare coins, an uncanny comedian and, of course, an unwavering UK fan.

He is also survived by: two brothers, Harry (Valerie) Merlin, Richmond, David Merlin, Palo Alto, Calif.; one sister, Naomi Merlin, Cincinnati, Ohio; eight nieces and nephews, Tim, Mark, Joel, Sarah, David Jr., Nathan, Annabelle and Austin, as well as numerous other relatives, friends and his unconditionally loving canine companions Katie and Elie.

There will be no public visitation. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Milward Funeral Directors in Lexington.

A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Friday, June 15, 2012, at Lexington Cemetery, 833 Main St., Lexington, KY 40508 (www.lexcem.org). Service will be performed by Rabbi Marc Kline, J.D.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in the support of liver cancer patients be sent to: The Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, Texas 77210.

Lucille Perkins WittLucille Perkins Witt

Born in Madison County — Lucille Perkins Witt, 91, the widow of Clelly Witt, went home to her heavenly father, Sunday evening, June 10, 2012.

Mrs. Witt was born in Madison County on Aug. 23, 1920, the daughter of the late George Will and Ollie V. Perkins. She was a homemaker, a loving mother and grandmother. As a babysitter, she cared for a lot of children in addition to her own. She was the oldest member of the Irvine View Holiness Church.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Ronnie Winkler and Carl J. Winkler; three grandchildren, Tommy Agee, Nancy Jane Winkler and Jessica Witt; also by two brothers: Luther Perkins and Elmer Perkins.

She was born July 1, 1919, in Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of the late Rolland E. and Hannah Hermann Scales, was a graduate of Amelia High School in Ohio, and was a member of Rosedale Baptist Church in Richmond.

Funeral service for CW2 (Retired) George Childress, 86, Lawton will be at 1:30 pm Tuesday in the Becker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Rev. Danny Elkouri, Pastor of Word Alive Church, Lawton officiating.
CW2 Childress died Thursday in Lawton.
Burial with full military honors will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of the Becker Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

He was born May 8, 1926 in Berea, Kentucky to John and Sylvania (Wylie) Childress. He married Francine E. Earnhart on July 9, 1952 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. She passed away October 4, 2005. He retired from the US Army on September 30, 1968. He had served in Korea and Vietnam. While in the Army he earned the following awards: the Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), National Defense Service Medal with first oak leaf cluster, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, and the Overseas Service Bar. After his retirement from the Army, he worked at Milo Gordon Auto as a new car service tech, and later went to work for Lawton Public Schools as a custodian. George was an avid coon hunter, and loved camping and traveling.

He is survived by his two children and their spouses, Rhonda Terry and husband Don of Norman, OK, Greg Childress and wife Gwen of Lawton, OK, son-in-law Charlie Culbertson of Duncan, OK, a brother Robert Childress and his wife Shirley of Richmond, KY, six grandchildren, Dustin Terry and wife Amy of Norman, OK, Clint Terry of Norman, OK, Casey Childress of Lawton, OK, Lauren Childress of Lawton, OK, Brandi Culbertson of Idaho, Lindsey Claborn of Lawton, OK, seven great grandchildren, Kristal Terry, Kaelyn Terry, Amber Terry, Adam Terry, Trent Terry, Kaylee Childress and Chase Culbertson, two nephews, Larry Childress and Delbert Childress and his wife Gwen, both of Kentucky. He is also survived by numerous other relatives and friends.

Edith was born on December 28, 1956. She was a native of Richmond, Ky., a homemaker and a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt. She loved her family and friends and cherished her what-nots, cigarettes and coffee.

She is survived by: her father, Isaac Sebastian; one son, Lewis Garlen of Irvine; two daughters, Teresa (Phillip) Releford of Harrodsburg,and Michelle (Davie) Hale of Richmond; five grandchildren, Brian (Brandy) Sebastian, Anthony Milligan, Jason Milligan, Thristian Hale and Tyler Hale; one brother, Randall Sebastian; and three sisters, Helen Carpenter, Roxie Himes and Genevieve (John Shackleford) Wilson. She is also survived by a most loved niece, Latisha “Sassy” Rogers, and was looking forward to the birth of her first great-grandchild, Tyson Ray Sebastian, due July 24, 2012.

Funeral services for Edith Sebastian Lamb will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home with Pastor Chris Carlyle officiating. Pallbearers will be Tyler Carpenter, Brian Ray Sebastian, Jason Milligan, Randall Sebastian, Tyler Hale and Thristian Hale. Burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 11, 2012, at Oldham, Roberts & Powell.

Bernice White

RICHMOND — Bernice White, 81, of Richmond, widow of Nelson White Jr., passed away peacefully at the Hospice Compassionate Care Center on Saturday, May 9, 2012, after a long battle with cancer.

She was born on September 12, 1930, to the late Frank and Eva Hutchins Frazier.

She was a homemaker as well as a cook for local restaurants, including the Irongate, Rumors and Pally’s. In addition to being a wonderful cook, she loved playing with her grandchildren, growing flowers and decorating her home.

She is survived by: her sons, Gary White (Marilyn) and Terry White (Pam); four grandchildren, Eric White (Tammy), Jason White (Amanda), Michael White (Carolyn), and Heather Waller (Eric); great-grandchildren, Zakary, Madison, Jeremiah, Erica, Larkin, Dawson, Calvin and Clayton; and several nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her adopted family at Richmond Manor Apartments.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Kathleen, Geneva and Della; and six brothers: Alex, John, Claude, Roscoe, Bill and Frank.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, June 11, 2012, at the Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home with Rev. Harry Hoover officiating. Burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery.

Gracie was born March 1, 1938, in Rockcastle County to the late Elijah and Susie Croucher Himes.

Gracie was a retired Parker Seal employee and a member of the Hwy. 1016 Holiness Church. Gracie loved telling her family and friends about her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and caring for her family whom she loved very much.

In addition to her parents, Gracie was preceded in death by her first husband, Floyd Robinson; her two brothers, Elijah Jr., and William Himes; two sisters, Bertha and Ellen Himes; and her special niece, Sheila Renee Smith, and nephew, Jeffery Himes.

Gracie is survived by her husband of almost 40 years, Rubin Kates; her stepdaughter, Becky (Jerry) Moberly, and step-granddaughters, Sarah Lynn and Samantha Ray Moberly; her brother, Frank (Odessa) Himes of Mt. Vernon; her three sisters, Ida Todd, Reecie Chasteen and Hazel (Leon) Smith, all of Berea; a host of nieces and nephews; and some special grandchildren, Brittany, Brandi and Brandon Lamb; and special sweetheart Britton Ray Lamb, and their parents Paul and Melinda Lamb. Many friends also survive Gracie.

Funeral services will be Tuesday June 12, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Lakes Funeral Home with Bro. Leonard Wilder and Bro. Eddie Todd officiating. Burial will follow in the Davis-Witt Cemetery in Rockcastle County.